Kuwait Institute for Scientific Research (KISR) has taken a key step forward achieving future energy security and production of a Wind Energy, which would booster sustainable development plans and contribute to mobilizing the vision of His Highness the Amir of satisfying 15% of domestic demand for energy through solar and wind power by 2030. This objective was stressed by His Highness the Amir at the UN Climate Change Conference in Doha, December 2012.
KISR marked the signing of the “First wind energy contracts of the Shagaya Renewable Energy Initiative” with Elecnor Spanish company in joint venture with Al- Ghanim International Kuwaiti Company for the design, construction and operation of the first Wind power station employing Wind power technology at a capacity of 10MW. This contract comes at a cost of KD. 7,138,118 and covers design, execution, and operation, as well as maintenance for 6 year period as of actual operation of the station.
The signing took place at KISR Head Quarters in presence of Dr. Salem Alhajraf Executive Director of the Energy and Building Research Center, a host of KISR and Ministry Specialists, and Representatives for Elecnor and Alghanim Companies the contact was initialed by KISR Director General Dr. Naji Al-Mutairi, Elecnor S. A. S.A.- Mr. Xabier Falco, Head of Engineering and Alghanim International - Mr. Tarek Eissa, President.
In his address marking the occasion, KISR Director General Dr. Naji Al Mutairi said this step lays the cornerstone for implementation of the Shagaya Renewable Energy initiative, which is a pioneering and ambitious initiative proposed by KISR in 2012 and is aimed at preparing the foundation of Kuwait’s energy strategy 2030, and at drawing the structural blueprint for the project and starting the transfer and implantation of renewable energy technology used for electricity production. The official pointed out the project has the backing of His Highness the Amir Sheikh Sabah Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah. He added KISR’s team had met with His Highness on numerous occasions to apprise him of progress in presence of His Highness the Crown Prince, His Highness the Prime Minister and top state officials. The Project, he stressed, enjoyed His Highness the Amir’s blessing and support from the initial proposition to date.
Dr. Al-Mutairi, said the project is a starting point toward realizing His Highness the Amir’s vision of producing 15% of the domestic demand for energy by 2030. He pointed out several positive effects including the bolstering of energy security and working domestic fossil fuel consumption in addition to the economic and environmental and social benefits on the long term.
KISR’s DG also mentioned strategic and economic and technical and environmental studies conducted by KISR previously on the transfer and implantation of renewable energy technology.
The studies, he stressed, indicated opportune climate conditions and proposed the most suitable technologies to be employed in Kuwait. Dr. Naji Al Mutairi added that this practical project was plant in view of feasibility study on construction of renewable energy station employing the technologies best suited to Kuwait’s climate such as thermal solar energy systems, solar photoelectric energy systems and wind power systems. The study leaded “most viable scenario” for implantation of renewable energy technology between 2015 and 2025 and aiming at a production capacity of 2000 MW to be achieved in three phases. Kuwait, he noted, is now marking start of work on the part pertaining to solar photoelectric energy production as part of the first phase and at a production capacity of 10 MW.
Executive Director of the Energy and Building Research Center at KISR Dr. Salem Alhajraf for his part said first phase of the project is scheduled for completion by 2017, and this first step would be followed by many along the path for securing Kuwait’s future energy security. He expressed optimism the country would witness great results along this path.
Alhajraf added that Al-Shegaya initiative aimed at construction of an integrated complex for the production of electricity employing renewable energy technologies. The complex is to include multiple technologies: thermal solar energy, solar photoelectric energy and wind power systems. These had been carefully selected after studies started back in 2008. The station to be constructed would supply the country’s electricity grid with 32,000 MWh/a.
By signing this Second contract in this phase of the project, KISR, in close cooperation with the Ministry of Electricity and Water, succeeds in the implementation of a Wind Farm technology plant for the first time in the State of Kuwait.